Recommendation:
Allocate funding to equip each ARNG Aviation Support Facility (AASF) with two E-ABE processors and each Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) with five replacement processors. The AASF processors can be installed in bussed helicopters (UH-60M, CH-47F, and AH-64E) to run E-ABE software. The processors are airframe agnostic and can be quickly moved from one airframe-type to another. A selector switch is used to select the appropriate airframe software settings. Army National Guard (ARNG) aircraft are not equipped with any ASE B-kits and ARNG organizations are not allocated expendables for training. Most ARNG Aviators have never even seen a threat indication in the aircraft. In order to survive an engagement in combat, aircrew members must immediately react to threat indications with appropriate evasive flight tactics. US Army is equipping Fort Novosel, AL with 48 E-ABE systems. Those systems will support iterations of Aviation Tactics Instructor Course (ATIC). The current Air Worthiness Release (AWR) is limited to specific airframes. A generic AWR for E-ABE systems is expected in FY26. E-ABE meets AR 95-1 (para 4-15.b) and Aircrew Training Manual 2800/2900 tasks for 'in-aircraft training/evaluation at least every other year'. Guard and Reserve are not equipped with ASE and require more geographically accessible in-aircraft training devices to comply with published training requirements. Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) training aids make individual, joint, and unit-level Aviation Mission Survivability training possible within the Army aviation enterprise. The majority of Army aviation resides in Reserve and Guard components. Using E-ABE for in-aircraft tactical flight training allows Army aviators to conduct evasive flight training at their home stations or any tactical training area versus waiting for a CTC evaluation rotation. Having E-ABE processors on hand ensures maximum availability to train effectively. E-ABE surpasses the capability offered by other Virtual/Physically Simulated Military Equipment training platforms. It allows aircrews to conduct in-aircraft tactical training with emulated ASE and expendables (flares and chaff), fighting emulated threat weapon systems. The system uses aircraft data (pitch, roll, location, altitude, etc.). When the aircraft enters the Weapon Engagement Zone (WEZ) of the emulation threat, the aircraft indicates the threat system, just as ASE would (visual and audio). If the aircraft exits the WEZ, is maneuvered behind terrain (using Digital Terrain Elevation Data), or executes appropriate evasive flight tactics (based on probability modeling) the emulated threat is “defeated”. Additionally, E-ABE has the capability to provide a playback of executed tactics for AAR purposes. ARNG aircrews need the capability for realistic tactical training so they can maximize survivability, lethality, and mission success. This is an Army Program under PM-ASE with the ARNG being designated below the DA funding level for resourcing. NOTE:This change action has the concurrence of the original resolution sponsor (AZ).